Bleachers solution

Sept. 3, 2014

To the Editor:

Instead of wasting all kinds of court time and enriching lawyers at taxpayer expense, here’s an uncomplicated way to solve the Crystal Lake South bleacher issue.

District 155 immediately should offer to purchase the four or five homes directly affected by the privacy invading structure. Pay the homeowners two, three or four times the assessed values. Whatever it takes to assuage hurt feelings and repair damaged relationships.

The city then agrees to drop all zoning violation charges and puts in place a permanent variance. District 155 then, at its convenience, can resell these properties to new homeowners who will know (and see) up front what they’re buying.

Until the properties sell, District 155’s superintendent and other administrators should reside in these homes as part of their compensation package, reminding them to consider their neighbors when making huge changes to the neighborhood.